Every homeowner always looks for new ways to improve their homes and be up to date with the newest trends. Many love to take their home projects into their own hands, whether it’s the basic fixes, kitchen remodels, or a home extension. That’s why home-related DIYs have become increasingly popular in recent years. Home extensions are ideal if you have a growing family and running out of space, especially conservatories.
History of conservatory
The word conservatory, which originally referred to a non-glazed building used for preserving food, is derived from the Italian “conservato” (stored or preserved) and the Latin “ory” (a place for). Later, the term was applied to designate glazed buildings that conserved or shielded plants from the cold.
The first time a conservatory was utilized in Europe was in the 16th century as a location to grow and exhibit exotic plants and flowers. The purpose of these early conservatories, which were frequently affixed to palaces and substantial dwellings, was to display the riches and horticultural expertise of the owners.
The industrial revolution throughout the 19th century brought advances in glass technology, enabling the construction of conservatories that were larger and more ornate. These buildings gained popularity in public parks and gardens, where they were utilized to cultivate and display a broader variety of international flora.
Conservatories grew across private residences in the late 19th and early 20th centuries because of improvements in glass manufacturing and building methods that made them more accessible and cheaper. By the middle of the 20th century, conservatories were a common addition to houses all throughout Europe and North America. They served a range of functions, including serving as greenhouses, extra living spaces, and gathering spaces for visitors.
Conservatories are still widely used today, and technological advancements have made them more ecological and energy efficient. They continue to be a functional and appealing addition to houses, providing a place to appreciate nature while yet being in the privacy of one’s own home.
You need to know!
If you’re considering building one for yourself, here are some things you should know:
1. Usage
The first thing you need to know before you even start planning to build a conservatory is what you will be using it for. Even though they have many uses, it’ll help the designing and building process if you know the purpose you’re building it for. Whether you want to use it as a sunroom, a guest area, an extra bedroom, or a home office, each function will drastically change the way you design and style it from the inside out. This will help you make decisions much easier and faster.
2. The Technicalities
There are some technicalities you need to go through before you start the conservatory planning and building process. It’s known that adding any home extension increases its value in the market. That’s why it’s a good idea to contact a real estate agent to evaluate your home pre-addition and discuss how much the conservatory would add to it. Another thing you should look out for is whether you’ll be needing planning permissions to meet your local building regulations.
3. The Cost
Another thing you need to know before you start building a conservatory is how much it’ll cost you. It’s important to set a budget so that you don’t end up spending too much money as you go along the process. The cost will depend on several factors like size, materials used in roof glass, doors, and finishing. There is also the factor of how you plan to use it; the way you choose to furnish it is also a cost you need to put it in mind to keep things more realistic.
4. Size Matters
As we mentioned earlier, size is an important factor that goes into determining your budget, but that’s not all. You should also know that the size of the conservatory can affect the value of your house in the market, which is another point to discuss with your real estate agent. Most importantly, it’ll matter the most to how you plan to use the conservatory. Even though they should generally not be too big or too small, it will eventually depend on how you plan to use it.
5. Location
You need to know where you will place your conservatory and how to position it in a way that serves your needs. The usual spot for a conservatory is by the back lounge or next to the dining room. It’s best you consult a professional when it comes to the position of the conservatory since there are certain aspects related to the sun’s position, electricity, and water that you may not know about. A good location will also complement the way your house looks from outside. Be sure and check out building maps as well.
6. Material
You need to know what type of material you will use for your conservatory because not only does it affect your budget and overall look, but also the space you’ll end up with. Some material makes space seem bigger and more practical while others do the opposite. When it comes to the cost, hardwood is perfect if you want to splurge, while PVC is more budget-friendly and needs less maintenance. There is also some material that doesn’t work with certain properties, so make sure you do your research.
7. Heating and Cooling
Like any other room in the house, your conservatory will need heating and cooling systems. Depending on the weather at your location, you can maybe skip one or the other. The most popular way of cooling is using roof blinds that block the sun and heat. The conservatory roof advisors from Oakhurstblinds.com explain that blinds that are tailor-made with customized measurements are the best addition to conservatories, as they naturally cool down the space. You need to research the proper material and then choose your colors and styles that will match your space.
8. Style
You should know ahead of time how you will style your conservatory so that you make the necessary plans when it comes to the budget and furnishing. The style will mostly depend on how you plan to use the space as well as your own preference. There are many styles to choose from; Edwardian, Victorian, Gable style, and more. Make sure the style you end up choosing complements the interior of the rest of your property to seem like one.
Purposes
A conservatory is a particular kind of room that is frequently mostly built of glass and added to a house as an addition. The objective of a conservatory is to add extra living space so that residents may make use of the garden, terrace, or courtyard’s surroundings and natural light without leaving the home.
A conservatory has a variety of purposes, such as:
- An extension to a house’s living quarters is a conservatory, which is frequently used as a living room, dining room, or even a home office.
- A conservatory’s expansive glass walls connect it to the outside, giving residents access to their garden’s natural light, vegetation, and fresh air.
- Conservatories are frequently used to hold special events, such as dinner parties.
- With its serene settings, a conservatory makes a good place to unwind, read, practice meditation, or just take in some quiet time.
- Adding a conservatory to a house may raise its value and attract buyers.
There you have it! That’s pretty much all you need to know before venturing out to build your very own conservatory. The most important thing to do in this process is to plan ahead and always stay organized to avoid any surprises or obstacles. The best way to do that is with lots of research and advice from professionals. It may be a long and hard project, but it’ll be worth it once it’s finished and you can enjoy your work of art.